The Mr. Basketball award is given to the top basketball player in the state of Indiana. Since 1993, when the first Mr. Basketball was awarded, there have been 81 athletes to receive Mr. Basketball. NBA athletes such as Eric Gordon, Trey Lyles, Tyler and Cody Zeller, and Greg Oden have all received this award.

Our very own Kris Wilkes was honored with the 2017 Mr. Basketball award, this puts him among many great NBA stars. Wilkes became a McDonald’s All-American earlier this year in February.  Wilkes had a successful senior season and committed to University of California, Los Angeles.

Wilkes ran against Jaylen Butz from Fort Wayne North Side. Butz is a DePaul recruit averaging 17.4 points a game. Cooper Neese from Cloverdale is a Butler commit as he averaged 27.2 points per game. Jack Nunge from Castle averaged 19.3 points per game showing major interest in Iowa University. Finally, Malik Williams from Fort Wayne Snider committed to Louisville and averages 21.5 points.

Wilkes averaged 21.9 points per game and shot 39.4 percent from the 3-point line. Wilkes is the two-time Marion County Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with 1,831.

When asked about his feelings regarding the award, Wilkes says it is another “goal accomplished”. Wilkes went into high school with three goals for his basketball career. He wanted to “win state”, become a “McDonald’s All-American”, and win “Mr. Basketball”. Coming out of high school Wilkes is proud of his accomplishments, but he is not settling now.

Wilkes is “ready” for UCLA. He wants to thank his “teammates on the North Central Basketball team, God” and his “mom and dad” for helping him reach this amazing honor of Mr. Basketball.